Blog format for updates
Okay, so I figured out a new way of setting up the Palmer news section. We're going to try blogging from now on. Hopefully it'll be a lot easier and less time consuming for me, and you'll get lots more updates this way. Anyway, on to the news...

Shawn and Cathy left Tuesday morning to visit Jake and Anna in Alaska. Wish I could have gone with them, but I'm stuck here working. (Wahhh!) Sounds like they are having a good time. Shawn said he and Cathy were both glad to finally be able to meet and get to know Anna. He said she seems very sweet, and that she and Jake really do appear to be well suited to each other.

Apparently there isn't a whole lot to do up there, though. Fairbanks has one movie theater. I didn't understand the significance of this until I realized that even Oakdale has TWO! But they do have a lot of stores moving in. Sounds like a lot of the old and abandoned mixed in with the brand new, just got there stuff. Kind of different, I guess.

Yesterday Shawn and Cathy drove to Denali, where Mount McKinley is. He said it was really beautiful, though a long drive. Today they visit some hot springs near Fairbanks which sounded pretty interesting. But, of course, the best part is the fact that they've been able to spend some time with Jake and Anna. Sounds like tomorrow they will all be going in the ministry together. I'm curious if it's different there at all. And, of course, I'm jealous since I have to work tomorrow. But I hope they have a good time. They will be coming home on Tuesday, just in time for Shawn's work comp. case hearing on Friday.

In other news, I started my job at the Linders flower mart in Oakdale on Saturday. I liked it a lot! It's wonderful to be surrounded by so many wonderful plants. There's just something marvelous about helping Jehovah's creations to grow. Hmmm, sounds like the ministry! It's a shame that preaching to the plants doesn't go far! The only down side so far is that it's been so incredibly cold! We actually ended up closing the shop yesterday at 11 a.m. because it was so cold. But hopefully the weather will get better soon.

I discovered this week that there is something interesting about the relationship between the weather here and in Fairbanks. Apparently, they are always at opposites. If it's cold here, it's warmer there. If it's warm here, it cold there! Funny, huh? So, of course, I'm blaming the cold weather on my husband being in Fairbanks. :o) At least they're having nice weather on their trip.

This week has been a lot more difficult for me, anxiety-wise. The combination of stress, Shawn being gone, and forgetting to take my medication one day has really made life frustrating. Today, especially, was a struggle. But, I suppose that's why Jesus said that "each day has it's own anxiety." Just can't worry about tomorrow. (Easier said than done.)

That's pretty much everything. Sorry this update had to be so long, and so long in between!